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Working with Dermatologists
A very small percentage of the population that uses cosmetics products will experience a skin reaction to a product. Should this happen the consumer may seek treatment from a dermatologist, who, in turn may seek information from the product manufacturer about the product's composition. There is a process in place to ensure that dermatologists get the information that they need to help their patients.
The procedure, developed by IFRA, sets out a structured process for the flow of information between dermatologists and the fragrance industry when a fragrance compound is the suspected cause of a skin reaction. It helps the dermatologist get the necessary information as quickly as possible from the relevant manufacturer.
The goal of IFRA is to ensure that products on the market are safe and comply with scientifically well-founded risk reduction measures, keeping the risk of fragrance allergy to a minimum, while offering a range of product choice.
The majority of fragrance manufacturers worldwide have already joined the intiative and our aim is get all manufacturers to take part. Below are the five steps of the process outlined.
Dermatologists to obtain details from the patient about the product in question.
Check the product's ingredient declaration (INCI names) to identify ingredients. This also shows whether the product contains a fragrance indicated by the term 'fragrance' or 'parfum'.
In Europe some selected ingredients will also be found on the label if they are included on the European list of 26 suspected allergens (eg. Eugenol or Cinnamic alchohol).
If fragrance is suspected, the cosmetic manufacturer identifies the fragrance compound that forms part of the cosmetic product of concern and its supplier.
The manufacturer and Dermatologist agree whether:
a) Fragrance information will be provided to the Dermatologist through the manufacturer or
b) The name of the fragrance supplier company will be given to the Dermatologist for direct contact.
In order to best assist both the cosmetic industry and the Dermatological community, IFRA maintains an updated list of scientific experts well versed in the field.
Thus IFRA ensures that an enquiry regarding the composition of a fragrance compound in a fragrnaced product can be handled promptly and effectively.
Dermatologist to further investigate the real cause of the skin reaction.
The dermatologist may seek further information about the product (including specific information about the fragrance).
The Dermatologist or patient should contact the manufacturer of the product by:
a) Using the address or telephone number indicated on the product label/packaging or
b) Approaching the shop where the product was brought to obtain the telephone number of the manufacturer or
c) Contacting the appropriate cosmetics industry trade association such as PCPC in the USA or Colipa in Europe.
The better the product of concern can be described the easier it can be identified and information provided. The following characteristics help identify a product:
Name
Brand
Product code or reference
Batch code
We recommend that the consumer keeps the original product that they suspect to be the cause of a skin reaction, not just for identification purposes but also in case further investigation is necessary.
This depends on the outcome of Step 3.
Provision of agreed information to the Dermatologist by either:
a) Fragrance manufacturer or
b) Cosmetics manufacturer
If the Dermatologist needs samples for further testing , the details should also be agreed at this stage and the samples promptly dispatched.
Dematologists to supply results of investigations of fragrance materials to:
a) Cosmetics manufacturer and
b) Fragrance manufacturer
This enables manufacturers to develop databases of important information for their safety evaluations.
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